MI Land Bank seeks proposals for development of state fairgrounds

LANSING, Mich. – The State of Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority (MLB) Board of Directors has approved and issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of the former Michigan State Fairgrounds. It is available online at www.michigan.gov/landbank.

“This represents another in a series of positive moves forward for Detroit,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “The state is committed to working cooperatively to rehabilitate this unused property into a robust economic driver for the city, its residents and the region.”

The three-step RFP process gives prospective developers approximately 60 days to submit their proposals for review by the MLB Board of Directors. The board will receive input from a five-member advisory committee consisting of Detroit community leaders who were appointed by Governor Snyder on May 15 (view press release here: http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57577_57657-278137--,00.html).

The first step of the RFP will remain anonymous with the MLB board focusing on the feasibility and best use of the 160 acre property. The identity of prospective developers will not be released to keep the process equitable. The RFP is openended, allowing for a wide assortment of proposals with the exception of no casinos, racetracks, prisons or railroad freight yards.

“The Michigan Land Bank is looking forward to working with the advisory committee and the developers in order to restore the former State Fairgrounds property to productive use for the state and the city of Detroit,” said Land Bank Fast Track Authority Executive Director Kim Homan.

On April 9, Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation (Public Act 74 and 75 of 2012) allowing the transfer of the former Michigan State Fairgrounds to the State of Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority to return the land to productive use. The property was officially transferred on April 24, 2012 (view press release here: http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57577_57657-275420--,00.html).

The Michigan Land Bank is part of the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), which receives administrative services from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The MEDC, a public-private partnership serving as the state's marketing arm and lead agency for business, talent and jobs, focuses on helping grow Michigan's economy. For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: www.MichiganBusiness.org.